I don't recommend that any newbis read this post it's very depressing, and I don't want to make anyone feel bad.
I wasn't going to update on this but its been a month now of total suffering and I'm still going through a horrible time dealing with my increasing tinnitus and hyperacusis. I have been trying to figure out how I got to this point, and what to do to fix it. I have talked to many Ent's, audiologist and even pharmacist's and asked if their were any reports of prednisone steroids or being out in the cold or a combination of the two could have caused such a crazy problem, I was told NO WAY, that if anything the medication is supposed to help hearing issues, and that they are prescribed all of the time by Ent's for acoustic trauma, so go figure, this outcome is impossible. My Ent told me that my problems are all caused by stress and anxiety. But it seems to be getting worse every day no matter what I do, sound or no sound. I guess I just need to vent or I'm not sure what I will do to myself, I feel so helpless and frustrated, for the first time in my life I have been getting very dark thoughts, and I'm starting to feel like what's the point of living anymore ? I have not gone outside in over 10 days. I have stopped all sound inside my home I even stopped my grandfather clock from chiming ( I know that's not a good thing ) but it seems like its the only way that I can cope right now. Every sound now is way too loud. I don't get pain, but it's really loud and seems to be increasing my tinnitus every day. Even if I just open my front door and stand on my porch I feel like its way too loud, it just does not sound right. I can't even watch TV at a normal level so now I'm trying to watch it with CC, driving is out of the question at this point even with ear plugs and or gun muffs, I would not even attempt it, plus with the random headaches and dizziness that comes up with no warning its probably not safe anyway anymore. Even trying to talk on my cell phone to my family and friends has become almost impossible work, I have to hold the phone way from my ear and talk softly, and if I talk too long after I get off, I can end up with some low ear pain for awhile. My hearing has now taken me prisoner and I don't know what I'm going to do about it. I would like to seek medical help, but even riding in a car to get to a doctor seems not possible, even with ear plugs and gun muffs they would probably not protect me enough to get there safely. Not that I think that any doctor could help me anyway. If I had to guess I would say that my LDL's are probably in the 40's now I would be afraid to even have them tested at this point in fear of more damage to my ears. The only good thing is that My ear pain has went down a lot I don't even get it every day anymore. Thank goodness I'm retired and don't have to go to work every day it would be impossible at this point.
I'm sorry for such a desperate post and I'm sorry if this post has a negative impact on any newbies, it was not my intention.
Thank You for letting me pull your ear, and vent.
Louie
Quietatnight
Oh: Sleepless soul, I did check out symptoms of "trigeminal nerve" and I don't have that, but Thank You for the suggestion it was a good one.
Lynn: No I don't believe I have TMJD, but it was also a very good question Thank You, sorry that I did not get back to you both sooner.